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Discover Lyon

Do you want to tour impressive attractions? You’re looking for the most famous shopping miles or enchanting boutiques for the perfect shopping trip? Or you’re interested in fascinating buildings of art and culture? We’ve compiled a selection for you.

Presqu’île

World Heritage Site

The Place Bellecour, one of the biggest squares in Europe, and the Presqu’île today form the heart of Lyon. The peninsula is enclosed by the Rhône to the east and the Saône to the west and, like the Fourvière and the Vieux Lyon, is a World Heritage Site. It has shopping streets and pedestrian zones with elegant shops, popular bars and restaurants, the opera house, and several theatres and museums. The «islanders» include the long-established «bourgeois» families – the wealthy middle-classes.

Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière

Hallmark

The basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, also called the White Basilica, has shaped the cityscape since 1896. It can be seen from almost everywhere and it offers breathtaking views of Lyon. In good weather, you can even see as far as the peaks of the Alps. Incidentally, Fourvière is the name of the hill on which the basilica stands. Along with the Vieux Lyon and the Presqu’île, it has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. Absolutely not to be missed!

Cathédrale Saint-Jean

Cathedral

L‘église Saint-Jeans-Baptiste-et- Saint-Étienne, to give it its full name. To the Lyonnais, it is simply the Saint-Jean. It was built between 1180 and 1480 in the Roman and Gothic styles. Saint-Jean is the seat of the Arch Bishop of Lyon, and features heavily in the history of France. Numerous events have taken place here: Pope John XXII was crowned here; Richelieu accepted his cardinal’s hat here, and Napoleon and his wife Josephine were also received in the Saint-Jean. One very special highlight is the astronomical clock inside the cathedral.

Nicolas Fafiotte

Couture

This young designer is a star in Lyon, even though he is only just embarking on his career. His specialities are bespoke cocktail dresses and wedding dresses in particular. He is uncomplicated, modest, daring and amusing. After studying fashion in Lyon and Paris, he worked in the couture atelier of Emanuel Ungaro in Paris. He then opened his own boutique in Lyon. He loves beauty and chic sophistication, which he seasons with a touch of shock and show.

Bernachon

Confiserie

According to Maurice Bernachon, the company's founder, chocolate is a food rather than a sweet treat. He set up the confiserie in 1953 and was the first to personally select and roast his own cocoa beans. All Bernachon chocolates are made by hand. You can’t buy them anywhere else but they are sent around the globe.

Jocteur le Boulanger de L'île Barbe

Delicious baked goods

This bakery, close to the Île Barbe, is a veritable gem. It’s a flourishing concern, because of course word has spread that its baked goods are so good. On fine days, you can enjoy Philippe March Jocteur’s specialities under the trees in front of the store. It’s an idyllic spot, and as romantic as something out of a French film. Incidentally, twice a day Jocteur delivers his fresh rolls to Paul Bocuse’s Auberge.

Les Halles de Lyon

Paul Bocuse

A veritable feast for the eyes – and palate! The "Belly of Lyon" has been in existence since 1859 and is one of the city’s landmarks. It’s a unique place, without parallel, where around 60 top producers offer their regional products. Tiny restaurants tempt guests to pop in for an aperitif, for Lyonnais specialities or to sample the delicious oysters. Everyone knows everyone else. The atmosphere is welcoming. After the halls were renovated and modernised, they were renamed "Paul Bocuse", who can be seen there early every morning, visiting his favourite suppliers. These market halls are simply are must.

Institut Lumière

For film buffs

In 1895, brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière invented and patented the cinematograph. The Musée Lumière opened in 2003, and serves primarily to preserve the aspects of French film-making. The museum shows both the artistic and the technical sides of the Lumière brothers’ revolutionary invention. They used their first camera to shoot the film «La sortie des usines Lumière». The original «hanger» seen in this first film is now part of the museum. Closed on Mondays.

Musée des Tissus

The history of silk

This lovely mansion contains the world’s largest collection of fabrics. It tells the story of the history of silk, which had an immense influence on the development of Lyon from the 17th to 20th centuries. Various exhibitions are also held. Closed on Mondays.

Musée des Beaux Arts

Loveliest collections

After the Louvre in Paris, the Musée des Beaux Arts in Lyon is the biggest museum in Europe. The collection is also one of the finest in Europe. Since 1803 it has been housed in the Palais Saint-Pierre, once the royal abbey of the Dames de Saint-Pierre, a 17th century former convent. There is a lovely garden in the courtyard, and the 70 rooms form two principal sections: Antiquity, primarily ancient Egypt, and paintings of the 14th to 20th centuries. Closed on Mondays.

Musée Gadagne

History & puppets

Many years were spent renovating the Renaissance palaces that are home to the two Gadagne museums. One is dedicated to the history of Lyon, the other to puppets and marionettes from around the world. The two palaces were declared listed buildings in 1920 – a truly magic place in the Vieux Lyon. Closed on Mondays.

Musée Gallo-Romain de Fourvière

The history of Lyons

The ancient Romans established their city of Lugdunum on Fourvière hill, naming it after Lug, the god of light. They built theatres, temples and public baths as well as a large amphitheatre with seating for 11,000 spectators. This was not excavated until 1933. The Gallo-Roman Museum, which is situated right next door, is almost invisible since it merges perfectly with the hill and the landscape. The museum has a very rich collection of archaeological finds, and tells the story of the city from prehistoric times until the 7th century.

LOCAL TIP

Bouchons are old Lyons restaurants. Most have a long tradition and their own history. In former days, most of the meals prepared here consisted of offal, which is still the case today although most of the population is no longer as keen on it. "Café Comptoir Abel" is one of the oldest, best and most authentic bouchons in Lyon. The prices might be a little on the high side, but the food really is sensational!

The riverside path «Les Berges du Rhône» runs along the banks of the Rhône in Lyon. There are in the region of ten bars/restaurants right on the quay, perfect, for instance, for a romantic date or if you would just like to enjoy the lovely views. The restaurants and bars are all on boats. My favourite is the bar «La Passagère». Little concerts are often held there and on other boats.